Taya Valkyrie Didn't Think Much About Going Back to WWE, AEW Locker Room Welcomed Her With Open Arms

Ahead of her TBS Championship match this Sunday at AEW Double Or Nothing, Taya Valkyrie spoke with Chris Van Vliet about her big match, the AEW locker room, WWE, and more.

Taya Valkyrie on facing TBS Champion Jade Cargill this Sunday at Double or Nothing:

"Jade has been fantastic. I've wrestled every type of female wrestler. I've seen a lot of people commit to something and then, you know, they don't get to that stage where they want to be in their career and they give up. Jade obviously has not been in the business a really long time, but her passion and determination and her athleticism, like, you can tell she's an athlete. She really wants to prove herself and I'm happy to be in a ring with someone like that and just to see that the business is going in a positive direction. I'm excited for Double or Nothing. I'm not gonna take it easy on her.”

If she could have re-signed with WWE:

“I didn't really think about it too much. Obviously, I have some friends that have gone back, for example, Chelsea Green is an example and she's thriving and she is killing it. I'm so proud of her. But like, I didn't really think about it too much. I just knew that if it was meant to be, it was meant to be and I was kind of indifferent. I didn't know if I wanted to subject myself to being in a space like that again. I mean, it worked out. I couldn’t be happier about it.”

If she was welcomed in the AEW locker room:

“I was welcomed with open arms and it was such good energy. Everyone was just surprised to see me. I think Britt knew. I’m trying to think who else knew? But yeah, it was just so positive. I mean, when you're starting a new job anywhere, it doesn't matter where it is, you know, in a studio like this or if it's in pro-wrestling or a restaurant, you always have those kinds of nerves because you never know what's really going to happen. It's like walking into the first day of school. You know, like, catering, I'm like, which lunch table do I sit at? I'm still, you know, trying to figure that out, but honestly, everyone was so welcoming and excited and it just made me a much more calm person and just felt like I belonged there.”

On leaving IMPACT and MLW for AEW:

“When the timing was right, I would get that chance. That's exactly what happened. I became undeniable in 2022. I really put myself out there. I won awards, the biggest comeback of the Year by PWI and five different championships across the world. I put in the work, so I knew that would pay off and it did. When we had a meeting when AEW was in Los Angeles, in January, was when I was able to speak to Tony face-to-face, because we had spoken through texts and things like that, I sat down with him and it just kind of went from there. I just had to wait for that moment, it came, and then all of a sudden here we are. Even with the conversation, things didn't happen right away. It's just not how business works. It's not how this works at all. I obviously have commitments with multiple companies. I really pride myself on never leaving, you know, never closing a door, and I really wanted to finish those storylines and finish those things properly. IMPACT has been a huge part of my career in my life. I never ever wanted to leave them high and dry or anything, but I also had to protect myself in the way that I had to pick what was best for my next step. Also, MLW was nothing but fantastic to me. Court Bauer shout out to you guys. You guys were great. That roster is fantastic. These people really helped me get through a really horrible part of my career, or at least mentally. I was not in a good spot last year. I'm forever grateful for them and because of them, I was able to take this next step.”

If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Chris Van Vliet with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. Also, be sure to subscribe to "Insight with Chris Van Vliet" on your mobile device by clicking here if you have an iOS device or here on your Android device.